Dr. Zalewsky demonstrating a treatment model

Periodontics

LANAP

FDA-cleared laser gum therapy — no scalpel, no sutures.

Dr. Zalewsky reviewing imaging with a patient

Periodontics

A modern alternative to traditional gum surgery.

Gum disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. If gum disease is not properly treated, it can lead to swollen or bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss.

Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue surrounding the teeth begins to pull back or wear away. This exposes more of the tooth or tooth root. Common signs of gum recession include longer-looking teeth, visible roots, increased tooth sensitivity, bleeding, inflammation, and bad breath.

To prevent or reverse gum disease, your periodontist may recommend LANAP. As the only FDA-approved laser treatment for managing periodontal disease, along with a growing body of research that supports the efficacy of its administration, LANAP has become one of the most effective treatment options for addressing gum disease.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty-trained periodontists our specialty-trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about LANAP, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (703) 823-2422 or our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 296-3360.

Close-up view of a periodontal procedure

LANAP® vs. Conventional Gum Surgery

If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, there are essentially two treatment options: traditional gum surgery or LANAP. Although both approaches can be effective treatment options, there are some important differences between the two approaches that are important to be aware of, the most important being that the traditional approach restores periodontal pocket depth by removing diseased tissue, whereas LANAP restores periodontal pocket depth by promoting regeneration.

Unlike LANAP, which is a scalpel- and suture-free procedure, traditional gum surgery will involve a flap being made in your gums using a scalpel in order to provide access to your jawbone and the roots of your teeth. Once this flap is made, your periodontist will then remove the bacteria and tartar and examine the bone for any defects, after which the gums are sutured in place and allowed to heal.

In LANAP laser gum therapy, there are no sutures or scalpels used. The LANAP procedure will begin with an initial evaluation of your gums and pocket depths. In some cases, a local anesthetic will be applied to the area(s) being treated. Next, the teeth will be thoroughly cleaned, and the laser light will remove the gum tissue that has become diseased. Next, any tartar that has accumulated along the roots of the tooth will be removed using ultrasonic scalers. Finally, the laser will be used to heat up the blood in the pocket, which creates a seal that will disinfect and protect the corrected pocket from plaque and germs. As an added benefit, the laser will naturally stimulate the stem cells, which in turn will facilitate the formation of more bone, connective tissue, and collagen. After this is complete, your periodontist will evaluate the surgical results and make any last adjustments if necessary.

Benefits Of LANAP

The benefits of LANAP include the following:

Comfort: LANAP is significantly less invasive than traditional methods for treating periodontal disease, which reduces the need for post-operative pain medication and results in less pain in general.
Faster Healing Time: Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, the body will heal much faster, and patients can return to their daily routines almost immediately.
Significant Reduction in Bleeding and Inflammation: In just one visit, LANAP can remove 90% of a patient’s inflammation, and the procedure controls bleeding by forming clots.
Targeted Treatment: LANAP removes damaged tissue without causing any recession of the gum line, which means patients can preserve their smile’s natural appearance.
Bone Regeneration: LANAP is an effective method for encouraging the regeneration of bone tissue.
Saves Teeth: In some cases, LANAP will ensure that patients can keep their natural teeth when an extraction would have been needed otherwise.
Safe: There are zero contraindications associated with LANAP.

Recovery & Aftercare

A short recovery, a long-term result.

Most patients return to normal daily routines within a few days. Your periodontist will provide personalized aftercare instructions specific to your procedure and progress.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about this treatment.

What is Laser Gum Surgery (LANAP) Cost?

Laser gum surgery costs usually range from $1,250 to $3,000 per quadrant, or $5,000 to $12,000 for a full-mouth laser gum surgery. Your cost is like traditional gum surgery and is covered by most dental insurance providers. It is conceivable that your out-of-pocket costs will be minimal.

Difference Between LAPIP and LANAP?

LANAP and LAPIP treatments share a common element; they both use precise, safe lasers to treat the crucial issues of gum disease. Dental lasers offer minimally invasive ways to eliminate bad bacteria and remove damaged gum tissue without harming the healthy gum tissue. If you have periodontitis, an advanced stage of gum disease, you might undergo LANAP treatment. During this LANAP treatment, your dentist might predominantly use a laser. This means there is no need for any scraping, scalpels, incisions, or sutures. The result is a healthier mouth which heals faster and is more comfortable. Both LAPIP and LANAP are procedures using a dental laser to treat infections and gum disease. LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Protocol. LANAP is the procedure if you have gum disease and need periodontal maintenance. With the LANAP solution, your dentist can quickly promote restoration and healing in areas affected by gum disease. LAPIP is the procedure treating infected or diseased gums around a dental implant. The LAPIP treatment dramatically improves the chances of saving your dental implant and will also destroy any existing titanium corrosion. LAPIP stands for Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Protocol and specifically treats gum disease if you have an unstable dental implant.

Is Laser Gum Surgery Painful?

Laser gum surgery treatments are considerably less invasive than gum flap surgery, so you can expect significantly less pain. You might experience some minor discomfort during the procedure, so your dentist may administer a local anesthetic to help manage the discomfort. The immense majority of clinical trials on laser gum surgery have delivered a success rate of 88 percent or higher. It is equally effective as the traditional gum treatment methods and achieves a quicker healing period. You can resume your normal activities the day after surgery, or it may take a few days to feel completely normal. You might feel mild soreness for several days. Other temporary side effects can include:

Cost & Payment

Money shouldn't stand between you and the care you deserve.

The cost of LANAP will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, whether or not additional procedures are required, and the severity of your case.

At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.

For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office. You can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.

For your convenience, we accept: